You can factory reset an iPhone using only the phone itself and your Apple ID password

A factory reset erases all data and settings on your iPhone and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. You do not need a computer to do this — you can perform the entire reset using only your iPhone, as long as you know your Apple ID password. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and works on any iPhone model running iOS 15.1 or later.

The reset happens in the Settings app under a section called General. Apple calls this process "Erase All Content and Settings," and it wipes everything: photos, messages, apps, contacts, and saved passwords. After the reset completes, your iPhone will restart and show the setup screen, as if you had just unboxed it.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to General, then tap Transfer or Reset, and select Erase All Content and Settings to begin the factory reset from your iPhone alone.
  • You will need your Apple ID password to complete the reset; without it, the phone will ask for it after restarting and will not let you proceed.
  • Back up your data first if you want to keep photos, messages, or other files — the reset permanently deletes everything on the phone.
  • The reset takes 10 to 15 minutes and your iPhone will restart multiple times; do not turn it off or unplug it during this process.
  • If you forget your Apple ID password, you can reset it through the Apple ID website before starting the factory reset.

Back up your data before you start

A factory reset deletes everything on your phone permanently. Before you begin, decide what you want to keep. If you have photos, messages, notes, or other files you want to save, back them up first.

The easiest way is to use iCloud, which backs up automatically if you are signed into your Apple ID. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Make sure the toggle next to iCloud Backup is turned on (it will be blue), then scroll down and tap Back Up Now. This creates a snapshot of your phone that you can restore after the reset.

If you do not want to use iCloud, you can also back up to a computer using the Finder app (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows), but that requires a computer — which defeats the purpose of doing this without one. For a phone-only reset, iCloud is your best option.

Open Settings and navigate to the reset option

On your iPhone, open the Settings app (the gray icon with gears). Tap your name and Apple ID at the very top of the screen. This takes you to your account page.

Scroll down and tap iCloud. At the bottom of the iCloud page, you will see a button that says Sign Out. Tap it, and the phone will ask you to confirm. This step signs you out of iCloud so the reset can proceed cleanly.

Go back to the main Settings screen. Tap General (it is usually near the top of the list). Scroll all the way to the bottom of the General page. You will see a red button labeled Transfer or Reset. Tap it.

Select Erase All Content and Settings

On the Transfer or Reset page, you will see two options: Transfer or Reset. Tap Erase All Content and Settings. The phone will warn you that this action cannot be undone and will erase all data. Tap Erase again to confirm.

Your iPhone will then ask you to enter your Apple ID password. This is the password you use to sign into your Apple account — not your phone's passcode. Type it in and tap Next. If you have two-factor authentication turned on (which Apple recommends), you may also see a prompt asking you to confirm on another device or to enter a verification code sent to your email.

After you enter your password, the reset begins. Your phone will show a progress bar and may restart several times. This is normal. Do not turn off your iPhone or unplug it during this process, even if it seems to be taking a long time.

Wait for the reset to complete and the setup screen to appear

The factory reset usually takes 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish. Your iPhone will restart at least once, and you may see the Apple logo on a black screen for several minutes. This is part of the normal process.

When the reset is complete, your iPhone will restart and show the setup screen — the same screen you saw when you first turned on the phone. At this point, the factory reset is done. All your data has been erased, and the phone is ready to be set up again from scratch.

Set up your iPhone again or restore from backup

After the reset, you have two choices: set up your iPhone as a new device, or restore it from the iCloud backup you made earlier.

If you want to restore your backup, follow the on-screen setup steps. When you reach the screen that says "Apps & Data," tap Restore from iCloud Backup. Sign in with your Apple ID and password, then select the backup you created before the reset. Your iPhone will read your photos, messages, apps, and settings from iCloud and restore them to the phone. This process can take 30 minutes or longer depending on how much data you have and your internet speed.

If you want to set up the phone as new instead, tap Don't Transfer Apps & Data and continue through the setup. You can always add apps and data later by signing into your Apple ID.

What to do if you forgot your Apple ID password

If you do not remember your Apple ID password, you cannot complete the factory reset — the phone will ask for it and will not proceed without it. You will need to reset your Apple ID password before you can reset the phone.

Go to iforgot.apple.com on any web browser (on a computer, tablet, or another phone). Enter your Apple ID email address and follow the steps to reset your password. Apple will send a verification code to your email or phone number. Once you have reset your password, return to your iPhone and try the factory reset again using your new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove my Apple ID from the phone?

The reset erases all data and settings, but your Apple ID remains linked to the phone until you sign out of it. That is why the process asks for your Apple ID password — to confirm you own the account. After the reset, you can sign back in with that same Apple ID or set up the phone with a different one.

Can I factory reset my iPhone if it is locked with a passcode?

Yes. Your phone's passcode (the 4 or 6-digit code you use to unlock it) is separate from your Apple ID password. You will need to enter your passcode to access Settings, but once you are in, the factory reset process only asks for your Apple ID password, not your passcode.

What happens to my photos and messages after the reset?

They are permanently deleted from the phone unless you backed them up first. If you created an iCloud backup before the reset, you can restore those photos and messages by choosing to restore from backup during the setup process after the reset completes.

How long does a factory reset take?

The reset itself takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you then restore from an iCloud backup, that can add 30 minutes to an hour or more, depending on how much data you have and your internet speed. Do not interrupt the process by turning off the phone.

Can I cancel a factory reset once it has started?

Once the reset begins and your iPhone restarts, you cannot stop it. If you turn off the phone during the reset, it may not complete properly and could cause problems. Let it finish, even if it takes longer than expected.